Latch and switch-operating mechanism for cabinet closure



Nov. 5, 1968 w. A. ECKERLE 3,409,320

LATCH AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CABINET CLOSURE Filed Sept. 15,1966 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. ECKERLE H s ATTORNEY Nov. 5,1968 w. A. ECKERLE I 3,409,320

LATCH AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CABINET CLOSURE Filed Sept. 15,1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WwuAM A. ECKERLE L Y Q BY 7 g f msATTORNEY LATCH AND SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CABINET CLOSURE FiledSept. 15, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W\LL\AM A. ECKE RLE HlSATTORNEY United States ,tent

3,409,320 LATCH AND SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR CABINET CLOSUREWilliam A. Eckerle, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General ElectricCompany, a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 15, 1966, Ser. No.579,682 10 Claims. (Cl. 292-113) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Acombination latch and switch-operating mechanism for a cabinet memberand a closure member. The mechanism comprises a strike on one of themembers and a latch on the other of the members. A manuallyoperablehandle is provided to move the latch between an unlatched position and alatched position, and to also operate a switch when the latch is in thelatched position. The latch has a tab which is moved with it by thehandle with respect to a relatively stationary member that is providedwith a slot and a notch. The latch, strike and tab are arranged relativeto each other such that the tab will enter the slot only when the latchproperly engages the strike, but will be prevented from entering theslot and will instead enter the notch and prevent the handle fromoperating the switch when the latch fails to properly engage the strike.

This invention relates generally to cabinets having closure members ordoors and, more specifically, to an improved latch and switch-operatingmechanism to latch a cabinet door and operate a switch.

The invention is particularly useful with washing appliances such as,for example, automatic dishwashers. In such appliances water or otherwash fluid is agitated, splashed or sprayed about within a wash chamberdefined by a cabinet. An access opening is provided in the cabinet toallow articles to be inserted into or removed from the wash chamber. A-closure member or door is provided to seal the access opening duringoperation of the appliance. The door has a latch to assure aliquid-tight seal with the cabinet and a switch is usually associatedwith the latch to automatically de-energize the appliance as the door isunlatched. The de-energization ceases agitation, splash and spray offluid within the wash chamber thus preventing escape of fluid throughthe unlatched door.

Arrangements heretofore available involved relatively expensive andcomplicated mechanisms in order to avoid closing of the switch, ating,handle, when the door was ajar. It is important, of course, that theswitch be prevented from inadvertent closing at any time other than whenthe door is properly sealed since such closing may result in escape offluid through the access opening.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved latch and switch-operating mechanism for a cabinet closureparticularly adapted for use with an automatic washing appliance.

It is another object of this invention to provide a latch andswitch-operating mechanism which will deenergize the appliance as theclosure member is unlatched.

It is another object of this invention to provide a latch andswitch-operating mechanism which will prevent energization of thewashing appliance until the closure member is in proper liquid-tightseal with the appliance cabinet.

It is another object of this invention to provide a latch andswitch-operating mechanism of the type described which is mechanicallysimple and is economical to manufacture.

by manipulation of the latch oper- 3,409,320 Patented Nov. 5, 1968 It isanother object of this invention to provide an adjustable strike for usewith a latch for a cabinet closure member. I

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,there is provided a combination latch and switch-operating mechanism fora cabinet member and a closure member. The mechanism comprises a strikeon one of the members and a latch on the other of the members. Amanually-operable handle is movable between an unlatched position and alatched position to move the latch between an unlatched position and alatched position. A switch is adapted to be operated by the handle asthe handle moves to the latched position. A tab is movable with thelatch. A relatively stationary member is provided and has a slotadjacent the path followed by the tab as the latch moves from theunlatched position toward the latched position. The latch, strike andtab are arranged relative to each other whereby the tab will enter theslot when the latch properly engages the strike. The latch, strike andtab are further arranged relative to each other whereby the tab will beprevented from entering the slot when the latch fails to properly engagethe strike. The handle is prevented from operating the switch unless thetab enters the slot.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention, it is believed the invention will be better understood fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially cut away to showdetails, of an automatic washing machine employing the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE FIGURE 3 is a viewsimilar to FIGURE 2 but showing the latch and switch operating mechanismof the present invention in a different condition of operation;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the latch and switchoperating mechanism in another condition of operation;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of some of the elements comprising thelatch and switch-operating mechanism of the present invention; and,

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the latch andswitch-operating mechanism in yet another condition of operation.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG- URE 1 thereof,there is illustrated an automatic washing appliance in the form of anautomatic dishwasher 10 having a cabinet 11 and a closure member or door12. It is to be understood that door 12 is pivotal about a horizontalaxis defined by hinge means (not shown) adjacent the bottom of door 12.Thus, door 12, as shown in the closed position in FIGURE 1, would swingto the right and downwardly as viewed in FIGURE 1 as it is opened.However, the present invention is equally applicable to cabinets havingclosure members of the top opening and pull out drawer types. Sincedishwasher 10 may be of the built-in variety wherein it is incorporateddirectly into a kitchen cabinet, a countertop 13 is illustrated adjacentthe top of cabinet 11. The present invention, as indicated above, is notlimited to a built-in dishwasher and, in fact, may be employed with anycabinet structure having a closure member associated therewith as willbecome more evident as the description proceeds.

Door 12 is provided with a gasket 14 which effectuate: a seal betweendoor 12 and cabinet 11. Door 12 is maintained in its closed positionrelative to cabinet 11 b means of a combination latch andswitch-operating mecha nism comprising the present invention. A strike15 i:

carried by either the door or the cabinet but in the preferredembodiment of the present invention, is carried by cabinet 11. As bestseen in FIGURE 2, strike includes a generally U-shaped spring element 16having one leg 17 secured to cabinet 11 and the other leg 18 having aloop 19 at the distal end thereof. Loop 19 receives a cylindrical nut 20which threadedly receives an adjusting screw 21. The resiliency ofelement 16 tends to urge the distal end of leg 18 toward door 12.Adjusting screw 21 has a spherical head 22 which engages leg 17 toprevent the distal end of leg 18 from moving toward door 12. Screw 21further includes a slotted projection 23 into which a screw driver maybe inserted to adjust the position of loop 19 by rotating screw 21relative to nut 20. Thus, the present invention provides an adjustablestrike, the function of which will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter, which may be adjusted from outside cabinet 11 when door 12is opened.

Cooperating with strike 15 is a latch 24 which is carried by a frame 25.Frame 25 is, in turn, secured to door 12 by means of a pair of screws orbolts 26. A pin 27 is rigidly attached to frame 25 and extendsdownwardly to terminate with an enlarged portion 28. Latch 24 isprovided with an elongated slot 29 which receives pin 27. Additionally,a manually-operable handle 30 has an opening therethrough which alsoreceives pin 27. Manuallyoperable handle 30 and latch 24 are capturedbetween enlarged portion 28 and frame 25. A washer 31 is disposedbetween handle 30 and latch 24 and is preferably made from a plasticmaterial so that, when properly lubricated, relative sliding movementbetween handle 30 and latch 24 may easily take place. If desired, asimilar washer (not shown) may be disposed between latch 24 and frame 25for the same purpose. Handle 30 has a portion which extends through anopening 32 in the front wall or door 12 to be conveniently accessible tothe operator of dishwasher 10 so that the latch and switch-operatingmechanism of the present invention may be operated.

Handle 30 has a pin 33 rigidly secured thereto and extending upwardlytherefrom at a point eccentric to pin 27. Pin 33 extends upwardlythrough an arcuate slot 34 in latch 24 and an arcuate slot 35 in frame25. The radius of curvature of the arcuate slot 35 is equal to thedistance between pin 33 and pin 27. Thus, as handle 30 is moved, pin 33follows a circular path about pin 27 within slot 35.

Frame 25 has an arcuate edge 36 with a slot 37 opening toward edge 36.Latch 24 has a tab 38 movable with the latch and, in the preferred formof the present invention, formed integrally with the latch. As will bediscussed in greater detail hereinafter, tab 38 follows an arcuate pathadjacent edge 36 as latch 24 moves among the various positionsillustrated in the figures. As latch 24 moves from the unlatchedposition of FIGURE 3, toward the latched position of FIGURE 2 or theposition of FIGURE 4, tab 38 will travel along edge 36 and either enterslot 37 or enter and engage a notch or stop 39.

The operation of the arrangement thus far described, is as follows.FIGURE 3 illustrates the arrangement in the unlatched position, i.e.when in the position of FIGURE 3, the latch and switch-operatingmechanism allows door 12 to be opened. After the door has been pivotedto a substantially closed position, i.e., to a position wherein door 12is spaced from cabinet 11 approximately the distance illustrated inFIGURE 6, handle 30 is moved from the position of FIGURE 3 to theposition of FIGURE 6. Due to the movement of pin 33 about pin 27 ashandle 30 is moved, pin 33 moves latch 24 to the position of FIGURE 6.It is to be noted that in FIGURE 6, pin 33 has the same relativeposition with slot 34 as it did in FIGURE 3. In other words, handle 30and latch 34 have not moved relative to each other during the change 3fcondition from that in FIGURE 3 to that in FIGURE 5. As latch 24 movesto the position of FIGURE 6,

it engages loop 19 of strike 15 whereupon further arcuate movement oflatch 24 is prevented.

As movement of handle 30 continues, the condition of the arrangementchanges from that in FIGURE 6 to that of FIGURE 2. It should be noted inFIGURE 2 tab 38 has entered slot 37 and pin 33 has moved relative toslot 34 substantially the full length of slot 34. The relative movementbetween pin 33 and slot 34, causes latch 24 to move substantiallyrectilinearly while handle 30 is moving in a rotary manner. It shouldalso be noted that latch 24 has moved relative to pin 27 substantiallythe full length of slot 29. The rectilinear movement of latch 24relative to the other components of the latch and switch-operatingmechanism, results in door 12 moving closer to cabinet 11 to assurecompression of gasket 14.

As handle 30 moves to the latched position of FIG- URE 2, a projection40, depending downwardly from handle 30, engages a lever 41 and pivotslever 41 to depress a button 42 projecting from an electrical switch 43.Depression of button 42 operates switch 43. Thus, when handle 30 movesto the position of FIGURE 2, switch 43 is operated.

As mentioned above, the present invention is particularly applicable tothose situations wherein it is desirable to prevent operation of aswitch such as switch 43 unless door 12 is properly sealed againstcabinet 11. Referring now to FIGURE 4, the latch and switch-operatingmechanism is illustrated in a position which it assumes if handle 30 ismoved toward the latched position when door 12 is not properly closed.It should be noted that the position of handle 30 in FIGURE 4 is beyondthe position of handle 30 in FIGURE 6. When latch 24 reaches theposition of FIGURE 6 but does not engage strike 15, latch 24 movesbeyond that position at which tab 38 may enter slot 37. Latch 24continues to move until tab 38 engages stop 39. At this point, the latch24 can move no further. Of course, slot 34 in latch 24 is also preventedfrom further movement. Because pin 33 on handle 30 extends through slot34 in latch and slot 35 in frame 25, pin 33 is prevented from furthermovement as tab 38 engages stop 39. This prevention of movement of pin33 results in prevention of movement of handle 30. Thus, engagement oftab 38 with stop 39 prevents movement of handle 30 beyond that positionillustrated in FIGURE 4. This position is short of that at whichprojection 40 engages lever 41 to operate switch 43. Accordingly, whenlatch 24 fails to properly engage strike 15, tab 38 will pass slot 37and engage stop 39 and handle 30 will be prevented from operating switch43.

A spring 44 is provided to gently bias latch 24 to the left as viewed inthe drawings. The purpose of this bias effect is to insure that tab 38enters slot 39 only as a result of latch 24 engaging strike 15. Spring44 is in the form of a leaf spring having a loop 45 at one end whichslips over one of the screws 26. The other end of the spring 44 extendsbeyond the other of screws 26 and bears against that screw in a mannerwherein it is free to slide relative thereto as latch 24 movesrectilinearly relative to frame 25. A coil spring 46 extends between atab 47 on frame 25 and a tab 48 on handle 30 to make the latch andswitch-operating mechanism stable in both the position of FIGURE 2 andthe position of FIGURE 3.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides an improvedlatch and switch-operating mechanism for a cabinet closure particularlyadapted for use with an will prevent energization of the appliance untilthe closure member is in proper liquid-tight seal with the cabinet. Itis also important to note that the present invention providesa latch andswitch-operating mechanism of the type described which is exceptionallymechanically simple and is economical to manufacture.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects ofthe invention are not limited to the particular details of constructionof the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various othermodifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. Itis therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover suchmodifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit andscope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A combination latch and switch-operating mechanism for a cabinet orthe like having an access opening and a closure member thereforcomprising:

(a) a strike on said cabinet adjacent said access opening,

(b) a latch on said closure member,

(c) a manually-operable handle movable between an unlatched position anda latched position,

(d) means interconnecting said latch and said handle whereby said latchis moved between an unlatched position and a latched position with saidhandle,

(e) a switch adapted to be operated by said handle as said handle movesto said latched position,

(f) a tab movable with said latch, and

(g) a relatively stationary member having a notch and a slot adjacentthe path followed by said tab as said latch moves from said unlatchedposition toward said latched position,

(h) said latch, said strike and said tab being arranged relative to eachother whereby said tab will enter said slot when said latch properlyengages said strike,

(i) said latch, said strike and said tab beingfurther arranged relativeto each other whereby said tab will enter said notch when said latchfails to properly engage said strike,

(j) said means interconnecting said latch and said handle preventingsaid handle from operating said switch when said tab enters said notch.

2. A combination latch and switching-operating mechanism for a cabinetmember and a closure member comprising:

(a) a strike on one of said members,

(b) a latch on the other of said members,

(c) a manually-operable handle movable between an unlatched position anda latched position to move said latch between an unlatched position anda latched position, u

(d) a switch adapted to be operated by said handle as said handle movesto said latched position,

(e) a tab movable with said latch, and

(f) a relatively stationary member having a slot and a notch adjacentthe path followed by said tab as said latch moves from said unlatchedposition toward said latched position,

(g) said latch, said strike and said tab being arranged relative to eachother whereby said tab will enter said slot when said latch properlyengages said strike,

(h) said latch, said strike and said tab being further arranged relativeto each other whereby said tab will be prevented from entering said slotand will instead enter said notch when said latch fails to properlyengage said strike,

(i) said handle being prevented from operating said switch unless saidtab enters said slot.

3. The invention of claim 2 further comprising means interconnectingsaid latch and said handle comprising an arcuate slot in said latch anda pin rigid with said handle extending into said arcuate slot wherebysaid latch may travel in an irregular path while said handle travels anarcuate path.

4. The invention of claim 3 further comprising a frame element having anarcuate slot therein into which said pin further extends.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said relatively stationary membercomprises a frame element by which said latch and said handle aremovably carried.

6. A combination latch and switch-operating mechanism for a cabinetmember and a closure member comprising:

(a) a strike on one of said members,

(b) a frame secured to the other of said members,

(c) a latch carried by said frame,

(d) a manually-operable handle carried by said frame and interconnectedwith said latch,

(c) said latch and said handle each having a latched position and anunlatched position,

(f) a switch carried by said frame and adapted to be operated by saidhandle as said handle moves to said latched position,

(g) a tab movable with said latch,

(b) said frame having an edge adjacent the path travelled by said tab assaid latch moves,

(i) a stop at one end of said edge,

(j) a slot in said frame at said edge opening toward the path of saidtab,

(k) said latch, said strike and said tab being arranged relative to eachother whereby said tab will enter said slot when said latch properlyengages said strike,

(1) said latch, said strike and said tab being further arranged relativeto each other whereby said tab will pass said slot and engage said stopwhen said latch fails to properly engage said strike,

(In) said handle being prevented from operating said switch when saidtab engages said stop.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said edge is arcuate and said tabtravels an arcuate path.

8. The invention of claim 6 where said frame is secured to said other ofsaid members by a pair of screws and a leaf spring is provided and has aloop at one end to receive one of said pairs of screws with the otherend of said spring slidably engaging the other of said pair of screws,said spring gently bearing against said latch.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein said strike comprises a generallyU-shaped spring element having one leg secured to said cabinet and theother leg having a loop at the distal end thereof, a threaded nutdisposed within said loop and an adjusting screw received by said nut,said screw having an enlarged head bearing against said one leg.

10. An adjustable strike for use with a latch for a cabinet closurecomprising:

(a) a generally U-shaped spring element adapted to be secured to acabinet,

(b) the other leg of said element having a loop at the distal endthereof,

(0) a threaded nut disposed within said loop, and

(d) an adjusting screw received by said nut and having an enlarged headat one end,

(e) said enlarged head bearing against said one leg.

having one leg References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,189,375 6/1965Getman 292-412 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. JOHN R. MOSES,Assistant Examiner.

